Salzburgite is a rare sulfosalt mineral primarily found in hydrothermal veins within the Austrian Alps. It typically appears as fine, metallic, needle-like crystals or fibrous masses, often closely associated with other lead-bismuth sulfosalts.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareAikinite-Bismutinite Group family

Salzburgite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this salzburgite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch salzburgite with a known reference. Salzburgite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Salzburgite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Salzburgite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: lead-gray, tin-white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous aggregates, bladed crystals.

Often confused with

Salzburgite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Aikinite

Mohs 2-2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Salzburgite leaves black, Aikinite leaves lead-gray.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Salzburgite leaves black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray.

Compare →

Often found alongside salzburgite

Minerals reported to co-occur with salzburgite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CuSbPbBiS₃
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 6.87 g/cm³
Colors: Lead-gray Tin-white
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Acicular or Fibrous Aggregates, Bladed Crystals
Cleavage: None Reported
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find salzburgite

Classic worldwide localities

Salzburg, Austria
Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where salzburgite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous aggregates, bladed crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify salzburgite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include lead-gray, tin-white.

Where is salzburgite found?+

Notable localities include Salzburg, Austria; Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia.

How much is salzburgite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is salzburgite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains lead, copper, bismuth, and antimony; handle with care and wash hands thoroughly after contact. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like salzburgite?+

Salzburgite is most often confused with Aikinite, Bournonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with salzburgite?+

Salzburgite commonly co-occurs with Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does salzburgite form in?+

Salzburgite typically forms in hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is salzburgite used for?+

Salzburgite is used in collector.

Find salzburgite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.